Discovery Sagaサイレントキーワード俯瞰

In just a few recent years, Cas9 has become an essential tool in the toolbox of molecular biologist. This highly-competitive field holds a lot of potential applications, from fundamental research tools to gene therapy. However, a precise control of its activity, and its incorporation in complex molecular networks have been lacking. The goal of this research project was to gain better control over Cas9 by using tools from DNA nanotechnology and microfluidic. Building on the expertise of the laboratory in molecular programming and microfluidics, new RNA-based mechanisms to control the activity of the enzyme has been developed. The research fellow first adapted a fluorescent assay to quickly and quantitatively assess the activity of a RNA guide. He then tested close to 300 different variants of guides, altering almost any functional region of the guide. During this testing, he found that the nexus, a particular region that forms a short hairpin, was essential to the activity of Cas9. He then demonstrated allosteric modulation of the guide under the control of an exogenous miRNA. Lastly, using this invention, he designed several transcription networks that perform logic operation, such as XOR, AND or OR gates.